Queenstown Fiordland
5
Day Itinerary •
New Zealand
Five days in Queenstown and Fiordland give you the full extraordinary depth of New Zealand's most spectacular destination, from the adventure capital on Lake Wakatipu and the Milford Sound cruise under Mitre Peak to the extraordinary Doubtful Sound, the most remote fiord in New Zealand, the remarkable Glenorchy and Paradise Lord of the Rings landscape, and the extraordinary Wanaka and Mount Aspiring National Park. This route covers the complete Queenstown and Fiordland experience. Queenstown waterfront and Arrowtown, Milford Sound and the Fiordland drive, Doubtful Sound overnight cruise or day trip, Glenorchy Paradise and the Dart River valley, and the extraordinary Wanaka with the famous lone willow tree and the remarkable Rob Roy Glacier hike in Mount Aspiring National Park.
Best Time To Visit
Year-round. Summer for hiking. Autumn for colour. Winter for skiing.
Getting There
Fly into Queenstown International from Auckland, Christchurch or Sydney.
Getting Around
Car essential. Queenstown to Milford 4 hours. Queenstown to Wanaka 1 hour.
Budget Per Day
Approx NZ$250 to NZ$550 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate. Rob Roy Glacier hike is moderate.
DAY 1
QUEENSTOWN
MORNING
QUEENSTOWN WATERFRONT AND SKYLINE GONDOLA
Queenstown on Lake Wakatipu below the extraordinary Remarkables mountain range is the most extraordinary resort town in New Zealand. The remarkable Skyline Gondola rises 450 metres to give the finest single panorama over the lake and the surrounding peaks. The extraordinary waterfront promenade, the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship and the fine Queenstown Gardens on the lakefront peninsula give the best introduction to the adventure capital. Gondola approx NZ$35. Travel: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
ARROWTOWN HERITAGE VILLAGE
Arrowtown is the most extraordinary heritage village in Otago, its remarkable gold rush architecture from the 1860s, the extraordinary Chinese miners cottages, the fine Lakes District Museum and the remarkable Arrow River giving the finest colonial landscape in the South Island. The extraordinary autumn colours in the London Plane trees along Buckingham Street in April and May are the finest in New Zealand. Museum entry approx NZ$10. Travel: 20 min drive back
AFTERNOON
TSS EARNSLAW LAKE CRUISE
The TSS Earnslaw, the last coal-fired passenger vessel in the Southern Hemisphere built in 1912, cruises Lake Wakatipu from the Queenstown Steamer Wharf to the extraordinary Walter Peak High Country Farm. The remarkable engineering tour of the engine room and the extraordinary view of the Remarkables from the lake give the finest single Queenstown experience on the water. Cruise and farm tour approx NZ$65.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Ben Lomond Track above Queenstown is the most extraordinary day hike near the city, its remarkable 1,748-metre summit giving a 360-degree view over the entire Queenstown Lakes district. Allow 6 hours return. Entirely free. The finest panoramic view of the Remarkables, Cecil Peak and the Humboldt Mountains.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Queenstown Outstanding Queenstown coffee culture. The flat white is taken seriously here. | Lunch: Arrowtown Bakery or cafe Outstanding gold rush village cafe. Local Otago produce. | Dinner: Botswana Butchery Outstanding Queenstown restaurant. Local Central Otago lamb and Pinot Noir.
DAY 2
MILFORD SOUND
MORNING
DRIVE TO MILFORD SOUND VIA FIORDLAND
The drive to Milford Sound from Queenstown is the most extraordinary road journey in New Zealand, the remarkable 4-hour route past Mirror Lakes, through the extraordinary Eglinton Valley, under the towering walls of the Homer Tunnel and down the extraordinary Cleddau Valley to the first view of Mitre Peak. The remarkable Chasm waterfall in the Cleddau Valley, the extraordinary Key Summit viewpoint and the Lake Gunn reflections are outstanding. Travel: 2 hour cruise
MIDDAY
MILFORD SOUND CRUISE
Milford Sound is the most extraordinary fiord in New Zealand and one of the finest natural landscapes on earth. The remarkable 1,692-metre Mitre Peak, the extraordinary Stirling and Bowen Falls cascading hundreds of metres into the dark water, the remarkable seal rocks and the extraordinary underwater observatory at the fiord entrance give the finest 2-hour boat experience in New Zealand. Rain multiplies the waterfalls dramatically. Approx NZ$85 to NZ$120. Travel: 1.5 hour drive to Te Anau
AFTERNOON
TE ANAU AND THE GLOWWORM CAVES
Te Anau is the most extraordinary gateway town to Fiordland, its remarkable position on the shores of Lake Te Anau, the largest lake in the South Island, giving the finest mountain lake scenery in the Fiordland region. The extraordinary Te Anau Glowworm Caves across the lake, accessible by boat, give the finest glowworm encounter outside Waitomo in New Zealand. Cave tour approx NZ$70.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The overnight cruise on Milford Sound with Real Journeys is the most extraordinary accommodation in NZ, spending the night on the fiord after day visitors depart gives extraordinary solitude at dawn. Overnight cruise approx NZ$250. The finest hidden experience in all of Fiordland.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast in Queenstown Very early departure. Road to Milford by 7am. | Lunch: Milford Sound cafe or packed lunch Outstanding fiord cafe at the sound. Local salmon chowder. | Dinner: Fiordland Lodge or Te Anau restaurant Outstanding Fiordland dining. Local venison and lamb.
DAY 3
DOUBTFUL SOUND
MORNING
DOUBTFUL SOUND, THE REMOTE FIORD
DOUBTFUL SOUND, THE REMOTE FIORD Full day Doubtful Sound is the most extraordinary and remote accessible fiord in New Zealand, three times longer than Milford at 40km and far less visited. The remarkable journey begins with a boat across Lake Manapouri, a bus over the Wilmot Pass and then a boat into the extraordinary sound. The dramatic silence of Doubtful Sound without road access gives the finest fiord atmosphere in Fiordland. Bottlenose dolphins, fur seals and rare Fiordland crested penguins are regularly seen. Travel: Day return to Te Anau
MIDDAY
DOUBTFUL SOUND WILDLIFE
The remarkable wildlife of Doubtful Sound including the extraordinary resident bottlenose dolphin pod of approximately 60 animals, the remarkable New Zealand fur seals and the extraordinary Fiordland crested penguin, one of the rarest penguins in the world, give the finest wildlife encounter in Fiordland. The extraordinary silence of the sound broken only by waterfalls and birdsong is the finest natural experience in New Zealand. Day cruise approx NZ$220. Travel: Boat return
AFTERNOON
LAKE MANAPOURI AND MANAPOURI VILLAGE
Lake Manapouri is the most extraordinary natural lake in New Zealand, its remarkable irregular shoreline of 33 islands and the extraordinary Cathedral Peaks visible above the beech forest giving the finest unmodified lake in Fiordland. The remarkable Manapouri Power Station beneath the lake, the most extraordinary engineering project in New Zealand built in the 1960s, was at the centre of the country's first major environmental campaign. Views free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Kepler Track day walk to the Luxmore Hut above Te Anau is the most extraordinary free alpine walk in Fiordland, its remarkable panorama over Lake Te Anau, the Murchison Mountains and the entire fiord system giving the finest single viewpoint above Fiordland. Allow 6 hours return to the hut. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast in Te Anau Early departure for Manapouri and the Doubtful Sound boat. | Lunch: Doubtful Sound boat cafe Outstanding lunch on the sound. Local salmon and New Zealand produce. | Dinner: Restaurant in Te Anau or Queenstown Outstanding Fiordland farewell dinner.
DAY 4
GLENORCHY
MORNING
GLENORCHY AND THE PARADISE VALLEY
Glenorchy 45 minutes from Queenstown on the extraordinary lake shore road is the most extraordinary small village in Otago, its remarkable position below the Richardson Mountains and the Dart Range giving the finest alpine valley setting in New Zealand. The extraordinary Paradise district beyond Glenorchy, used as Lothlorien in The Lord of the Rings, and the remarkable Dart River braided flats used as the approach to Isengard are the finest Lord of the Rings filming locations. Travel: 30 min walk
MIDDAY
ROUTEBURN TRACK DAY WALK
The Routeburn Track day walk from the Glenorchy end gives the most extraordinary introduction to the finest Great Walk in New Zealand, its remarkable beech forest, the extraordinary Routeburn Falls and the fine Route Burn Flats giving the finest 2-hour return alpine walk accessible from Queenstown. The extraordinary view back down the valley to the Dart River flats is outstanding. Walk free. Travel: 45 min drive back
AFTERNOON
QUEENSTOWN RETURN AND LAKE WAKATIPU EVENING
The return drive from Glenorchy to Queenstown along the extraordinary lake shore gives the finest evening views of Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables, Cecil Peak and the evening light on the Richardson Mountains. The extraordinary Queenstown waterfront at sunset with the lights of the town reflected in the lake is the finest evening in the South Island.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Paradise area beyond Glenorchy used as Lothlorien in The Lord of the Rings is entirely free to visit. The extraordinary mature kahikatea and beech forest along the Dart River, the braided river flats and the dramatic peaks behind give the finest free Lord of the Rings landscape in New Zealand.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Queenstown before the Glenorchy drive Early departure for Glenorchy. | Lunch: Glenorchy Cafe Outstanding remote village cafe at the head of Lake Wakatipu. | Dinner: Rata, Queenstown Outstanding Queenstown fine dining. Central Otago lamb and Pinot Noir.
DAY 5
WANAKA AND ASPIRING
MORNING
WANAKA AND THE FAMOUS LONE WILLOW TREE
Wanaka is the most extraordinary alternative to Queenstown in Otago, its remarkable town on Lake Wanaka below the Treble Cone ski field giving a quieter and equally beautiful alpine lake experience. The extraordinary That Wanaka Tree, a lone willow growing from Lake Wanaka 5 metres from the shore, is the most photographed tree in New Zealand and most remarkable at dawn when the lake is still. The fine Wanaka waterfront walk gives the finest lake panorama in the region. Travel: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
ROB ROY GLACIER HIKE
The Rob Roy Glacier Track in Mount Aspiring National Park is the most extraordinary day hike accessible from Wanaka, its remarkable 4-hour return route through extraordinary beech forest and alpine meadows to the viewpoint below the Rob Roy Glacier giving the finest accessible glacier view in Otago. The extraordinary hanging glacier above the valley and the remarkable glacial waterfalls give the finest single walk in the Mount Aspiring region. Walk free. Travel: 45 min drive back to Wanaka
AFTERNOON
WANAKA RETURN AND DEPARTURE
The return to Wanaka from the Rob Roy Glacier gives the finest view over Lake Wanaka and the surrounding mountains in the afternoon light. The remarkable Puzzling World attraction near Wanaka with its extraordinary optical illusions is the finest family attraction in the Wanaka region. The drive from Wanaka back to Queenstown or onward to Christchurch via the Lindis Pass gives the finest Central Otago high country scenery. Puzzling World approx NZ$22.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Blue Pools Track near Makarora on the Haast Pass is the most extraordinary hidden swim between Wanaka and the West Coast, a remarkable 20-minute walk to extraordinary blue-tinted glacier meltwater pools in the Makarora River. Entirely free. The finest hidden swimming hole in the Wanaka region.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Wanaka Outstanding Wanaka cafe culture. The flat white rivals Queenstown. | Lunch: Doughbin Bakery, Wanaka Outstanding Wanaka bakery. The finest filled roll after the Rob Roy walk. | Dinner: Ritual Cafe or Francesca's, Wanaka Outstanding Wanaka restaurants. Local Otago lamb and Central Otago Pinot Noir.
Where To Stay
Queenstown, Nights 1 and 4 QT Queenstown or Sofitel. Waterfront. Approx NZ$250 to NZ$600. Te Anau, Night 2 to 3 Fiordland Lodge or Te Anau Hotel. Gateway to fiords. Approx NZ$200 to NZ$500. Wanaka, Night 5 Edgewater Hotel or Wanaka Homestead. Lakeside. Approx NZ$200 to NZ$450.
Top Tips
1. Book both Milford and Doubtful Sound cruises months ahead. Both fill well in advance in summer.
2. Doubtful Sound is three times longer than Milford and receives far fewer visitors. The finest fiord in NZ.
3. The Rob Roy Glacier hike is the finest half-day walk in Mount Aspiring National Park. Allow 4 hours.
4. Depart for Milford by 7am from Queenstown. The Homer Tunnel queues build rapidly after 9am.
5. Milford Sound in rain is extraordinary. The waterfalls multiply and the mist gives a dramatic atmosphere.
6. The Wanaka Tree is most extraordinary at dawn before other photographers arrive. A 5-minute lakeshore walk.
Total Budget
Approx NZ$250 to NZ$550 per person per day